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Poster for The Lady Eve

The Lady Eve

Seen it?

1941 | 97 min | Comedy, Romance

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes). A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for romantics and anyone who wants a laugh. If you loved Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Light and funny, romantic.
The pace
Breezy, at 1 hr 37 min.
What might put you off
  • Made in 1941: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

It's no accident when wealthy Charles falls for Jean. Jean is a con artist with her sights set on Charles' fortune. Matters complicate when Jean starts falling for her mark. When Charles suspects Jean is a gold digger, he dumps her. Jean, fixated on revenge and still pining for the millionaire, devises a plan to get back in Charles' life. With love and payback on her mind, she re-introduces herself to Charles, this time as an aristocrat named Lady Eve Sidwich.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 96 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.3 out of 10

  • AwardsSolid

    Nominated for 1 Oscar.

  • Reach & staying powerSolid

    Streaming release that reached a modest audience; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 74K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Preston Sturges

  • Barbara StanwyckJean Harrington
  • Henry FondaCharles Pike
  • Charles Coburn'Colonel' Harrington
  • Eugene PalletteHorace Pike
  • William DemarestMuggsy
  • Eric BloreSir Alfred McGlennan Keith
  • Melville CooperGerald
  • Martha O'DriscollMartha
  • Janet BeecherJanet Pike
  • Robert GreigBurrows